B.A. Degree with a Major in Child and Family Studies, with an Area of Concentration in Family Studies

The Family Studies concentration is designed for students seeking a deeper understanding of the dynamics of family relations and the interaction of the family with society. Students explore family structures and dynamics (including parent-child relations), families from different cultures, contemporary issues, family law, family violence and other dysfunctions, environmental influences, and other specific areas of interest. Graduates commonly seek employment in public and private social work (protection, foster care, adoption, family support, group homes, child support, etc.), family life education programs, child and family advocacy, abuse shelters and programs, family resource centers, parenthood education, gerontology, cooperative extension, or related areas. Advanced studies often are pursued in counseling/therapy, family studies, social work, human development, gerontology, or other human services fields.

Requirements for the Major

A major in Child and Family Studies, with an Area of Concentration in Family Studies, is achieved by completion of the following requirements, in addition to the General Education and electives required for a degree:

Required CFS Core Courses

CFS 130, 145, 207 (also WGS), and  221

Required Capstone Course

CFS 480  and 441 (which includes the Home Management House as a laboratory component)

Required Distribution Courses

Four (4) course credits, chosen from CFS 217, 237, 238, 245 (formerly 345), 350, 362, 366, 186/286/386/486, and 395/495, one of which must be 217, 362, or 366. Both CFS 186/286/386/486 and 395/495 courses must be approved by the CFS Program for this particular area of concentration. For each of these courses, only one credit shall count toward the major concentration requirement.

Required Collateral Courses

SOC 100 or PSY 100

Exploring the Major

In addition to taking key General Education requirements, students considering this concentration should enroll in CFS 130, 145, 207 (also WGS), and 221 during their first and second years, if possible.

Admission to the Major

Admission into the major requires the following: an overall GPA of 2.00; a successful formal interview and positive recommendation by an assigned CFS faculty member (a positive recommendation usually requires that students have earned a C or better in the CFS courses they have taken); completion of a handwritten, well-constructed essay explaining why the student wants to become a CFS major; successful performance in at least one completed or in-progress CFS course; and a majority vote of acceptance by the CFS faculty. A student who already has been formally accepted into another major at Berea and wants to transfer to a CFS major must make this request in writing to the Program Coordinator of the CFS Program.

Course Sequencing Considerations (in order to complete degree requirements within eight terms)

CFS 130, 145, 207 (also WGS), and 221 are prerequisites for upper-level courses and are offered every regular term. Upper-level courses sometimes are offered only once a year or in alternate years, so early curricular planning is very important. If a student elects to take CFS 395/495 to fulfill a major requirement, the Internship may be completed after the first year is completed. However, the Program recommends that CFS Internships be completed after the sophomore or junior year. Most CFS Internship placements are during the Summer terms. Students, including those with a dual concentration, may use only one program-approved 395/495 to meet a concentration requirement.

Proficiency Requirements for Retention in and Completion of the Major

In addition to completing the core course requirements and specified courses within the area of concentration, each student must satisfy program standards for effectiveness in written and oral communication.

Other Considerations and Recommendations

Two recommended electives for this concentration are HLT 111 and 224. Also, for students who are planning to pursue a Master of Social Work degree, MAT 104 and BIO 101 are recommended. For students pursuing double concentrations, if the student chooses to complete two Internships or two Special Topics courses, the two courses must be judged qualitatively different by the Program.

Child and Family Studies

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